System and method for short message delivery in a mobility network

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a compatibility of the mobile station with a 3GPP IMS architecture. In response to determining that the mobile station is compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecture, a transfer is facilitated of the machine-type communication message to the mobile station via a network element of an IMS network core. In response to determining that the mobile station is not compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecture a forwarding is facilitated of the machine-type communication message to a machine-type communication interworking function associated with the mobile station, wherein the machine-type communication interworking function facilitates a directing of the machine-type communication message to the mobile station via an SGs interface of a mobility management entity of an evolved packet core of a 3GPP long term evolution network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/163,206 filed May 24, 2016. The contents of the foregoing are herebyincorporated by reference into this application as if set forth hereinin full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a system and method for short messagedelivery in a mobility network.

BACKGROUND

Converged IP messaging provides mobile network operators with anopportunity to transform their messaging core networks by cappinginvestments in legacy infrastructure, while supporting messaging,including multimedia rich communications, applications and servicesintelligently across multiple radio access networks. With greaterapplications related to the Internet of Things (IoT), it is understoodthat any changes to messaging core networks would also support amultitude of M2M capable devices. Mobile operators looking to retirelegacy access networks, e.g., 3G and/or 2G, may choose to re-allocateradio frequency spectrum to other access networks, such as Long TermEvolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) technologies according to3^(rd) Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) standards. 3GPP is aregistered trademark of the European Telecommunications StandardsInstitute, Valbonne France.

While there are several business cases for operators around the globe toutilize such high-speed mobility solutions, these could vary from oneoperator to another depending on their spectrum availability, currentmobility infrastructure, competitiveness in the mobility servicesoffering, market economics, social networking behaviors in a givenregion and their evolution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a mobile communicationsystem;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portion of a mobileoperator network;

FIG. 3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a portion of a mobileoperator network;

FIG. 4 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a portion of a mobileoperator network;

FIG. 5 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a portion of a mobileoperator network;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process used in portionsof the systems described in FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services in cooperation with the systems of FIGS. 1-5 andthe process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-5 and 7;

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the processes describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for processing messages in a Public Land Mobile Network(PLMN). The mobile operator network can include a Converged IP Messaging(CPM) that supports delivery of messaging, including multimedia richcommunications, applications and services. It is understood that suchCPM message handling also includes Machine Type Communication (MTC). Insome applications, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) messages are processedbetween a Mobile Station (MS), or User Equipment (UE), and a remotemessaging application according to 3GPP IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)architectural framework.

M2M applications often include power saving techniques that allow UEs toremain in a low power mode for an extended period of time. Suchlow-power UEs can be reached through a process referred to as devicetriggering. Device Triggering is a means by which a Services CapabilitySerer (SCS) sends information to the UE via the 3GPP network to triggerthe UE to perform application specific actions that include initiatingcommunication with the SCS or an application server in the network.

The 3GPP standards defined MTC-IWF provides connectivity via existingcore network elements to devices served by the radio accesstechnologies, e.g., LTE, 3G, and/or 2G. In such applications, a MachineType Communications Interworking Function (MTC-IWF) relays and/ortranslates signaling protocols used over a 3GPP standardized “Tsp”interface to invoke specific functionality in the PLMN. For thoseoperators looking to retire their legacy access networks and re-allocatetheir radio frequency spectrum, further enhancements are necessary toallow the MTC-IWF allow LTE capable M2M devices to benefit from a CPMcore. In particular, 3GPP Technical Specification, 3GPP TS 23.682,V13.0.0, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, describesspecial “T5” reference points that are used to transfer device triggerrequests, to report the success or failure of delivering a triggerrequest to a UE, and to provide congestion and/or load information ofnetwork elements, such as the SGSN (Serving General Packet Radio ServiceSupport Node) and/or the MME (Mobility Management Entity). Namely, a“T5a” reference point is defined between the MTC-IWF and the SGSN, a“T5b” reference point is defined between the MTC-IWF and the MME, and a“T5c” reference point is defined between the MTC-IWF and the MSC (MobileSwitching Center).

Unfortunately, the “T5” represents a new diameter-based interface thatwould not be available on fielded equipment. To introduce such featureswould require a substantial re-investment by network operators. Thetechniques disclosed herein provide for an encapsulation of messagesto/from the MTC-IWF that allow the MTC-IWF to communicate with legacynetwork functional elements, such as the MME, over existing interfaces,such as the SGsAP interface. Implementing such features avoids any needfor the “T5a,” “T5b,” and/or “T5c” interface requirements. Otherembodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a process thatincludes receiving, by a processing system including a processor, amachine-type communication message directed to a mobile station. Theprocess further includes determining, by the processing system, acompatibility of the mobile station with a 3GPP IMS architecture. Inresponse to determining that the mobile station is compatible with the3GPP IMS architecture, a routing of the machine-type communicationmessage is facilitated, by the processing system, to the mobile stationvia a network element of an IMS network core. In response to determiningthat the mobile station is not compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecturea routing of the machine-type communication message is facilitated, bythe processing system, to a machine-type communication, interworkingfunction associated with the mobile station, wherein the machine-typecommunication, interworking function facilitates delivery of themachine-type communication message to the mobile station via an SGsinterface of a mobility management entity of an evolved packet core of a3GPP long term evolution network, without using a T5 interface betweenthe machine-type communication, interworking function and the mobilitymanagement entity.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a device thatincludes a processing system including a processor and a memory thatstores executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations, that includeidentifying a machine-type communication message directed to a mobilestation, and determining a compatibility of the mobile station with a3GPP IMS architecture. In response to determining that the mobilestation is compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecture, a forwarding ofthe machine-type communication message to the mobile station isfacilitated via a network element of an IMS network core. In response todetermining that the mobile station is not compatible with the 3GPP IMSarchitecture a forwarding of the machine-type communication message isfacilitated to a machine-type communication, interworking functionassociated with the mobile station. The machine-type communication,interworking function facilitates a directing of the machine-typecommunication message to the mobile station via an SGs interface of amobility management entity of an evolved packet core of a 3GPP long termevolution network, without using a “T5” interface between themachine-type communication, interworking function and the mobilitymanagement entity

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium including executable instructions that, when executed bya processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations. The operations include identifying a machine-typecommunication message directed to a mobile station and determining acompatibility of the mobile station with a 3GPP IMS architecture. Inresponse to determining that the mobile station is compatible with the3GPP IMS architecture, a forwarding is facilitated of the machine-typecommunication message to the mobile station via a network element of anIMS network core. In response to determining that the mobile station isnot compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecture a forwarding isfacilitated of the machine-type communication message to a machine-typecommunication, interworking function associated with the mobile station,wherein the machine-type communication, interworking functionfacilitates a directing of the machine-type communication message to themobile station via an SGs interface of a mobility management entity ofan evolved packet core of a 3GPP long term evolution network.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of an architectural referencemodel of a mobile communication system 100 that supports messagingservices, including MTC. The system 100 includes one or more UEs 102that can include one or more MTC-UE applications 104. The UEs 102connecting to a 3GPP RAN (Radio Access Network) 103, such as a UTRAN,E-UTRAN, and/or GERAN, e.g., by one or more of Um, Uu and/or LTE-Uuinterfaces. The system 100 includes core network elements, such as anMSC (Mobile Switching Center) 108, an SSGN (Serving GPRS Support Node)110, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 112 and/or an S-GW (ServingGateway) 114. The system 100 further includes one or more of a GGSN(Gateway GPRS Support Node) and/or P-GW (Packet Gateway), illustratedcollectively as a GGSN/P-GW 116. The GGSN/P-GW 116 is in communicationwith one or more of a first application server 118 a directly, or asecond application server 110 b, by way of an SCS (Services CapabilityServer) 120.

The system includes messaging core elements, such as an SMS-SC (ShortMessage Service Center), a GMSC (Gateway Mobile Switching Center),and/or an SMS-IWMSC (Short Message Service Inter-Working MobileSwitching Center), illustrated collectively as an SMS-SC/GMSC/IWMSC 122.The SMS-SC/GMSC/IWMSC 122 is in communication with one or more of anIP-SM-GW (IP-Short-Message-Gateway) 124 and an SME (Short MessagingEntity) 126. Each of the application servers 118 a, 118 b (generally118), the IP-SM-GW 124, and the SME 126 is placed outside the corenetwork and serves as a transmission source of a trigger message to oneor more of the UE 102. Each MT CUE 102 including a corresponding MTCapplication 104 can be associated with a corresponding MTC applicationhosted on one or more of the external application servers 118 thatcommunicate with the UE 110 through the core network. Likewise, the SCS120 and the SME 126 connect to the core network to communicate with theUE 110.

Furthermore, the core network includes an MTC-IWF 128 and an HSS (HomeSubscriber Server) 130. In the example architecture, the GGSN/P-GW 116is associated with a HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network), whereas,the MME 112, the SGSN 110, the MSC 108 and the S-GW 114 are associatedwith a VPLMN (Visited Public Land Mobile Network). In the core network,each of the MTC-IWF 128 and the GGSN/P-GW 116 serves as a network nodethat receives a trigger message from a transmission source. Each of theMME 112, the SGSN 110, the MSC 108 and the S-GW 114 serves as a networkelement that forwards the trigger message to the UE 110, and the HSS 130serves as a server that provides various information to the MTC-IWF 128.Typically, in a case of NAS (Non-Access Stratum) messaging, the MTC-IWF128 receives a trigger message from the SCS 120 via a “Tsp” interface,and then forwards the trigger message to the MME 112 via a “T5b”interface. On the other hand, in a case of SMS message, the MTC-IWF 128receives a trigger message from the SME 126 via a “T4” and “Tsms”interfaces, e.g., through SMSSC/GMSC/IWMSC 122, or from the SCS 120 viaa “Tsp” interface, and then forwards the trigger message to the MME 112,the SGSN 110 and/or the MSC 108 via the “T5b,” “T5a,” and/or “T5c”interfaces. Thus, the trigger message can be routed by the MME 112, theSGSN 110 and/or the MSC 108 to the UE 110. The HSS 130 stores UEcapabilities and/or serving node information, and notifies them to theMTC-IWF 128 via a “56 m” interface. The GGSN/P-GW 116 receives a triggermessage from the SCS 120 or directly from the application server 118 avia a “Gi/SGi” interface, and then forwards the trigger message to theSGSN 110 and/or the S-GW 114 through a user plane, so that the triggermessage can be also routed to the UE 110.

Beneficially, the techniques disclosed herein allow for MTCcommunications, including trigger handling, to be processed within aPLMN, without requiring any “T5” interface, and without requiring thatnetwork devices, such as the MSC 108, the MME 112 and/or the SGSN 110 toaccommodate any new interface, such as the “T5” interface.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a mobile communicationsystem 200 that supports complex mobility radio access, e.g., 2G, 3G,and/or LTE, including machine type communications. The illustrativesystem 200 includes multiple radio access network technologies,including a 2G RAN 202, a 3G RAN 204 and an LTE RAN 206 supportingwireless mobile communications with one or more 2G compatible UE devices208, 3G compatible UE devices 210 and/or LTE compatible UE devices. TheLTE compatible UE devices can include one or more IMS capable UE devices214 and/or non-IMS capable devices 216.

The RANs 202, 204, 206, in turn, are in communication with variousmobility core network elements, including mobility messaging coreelements. For example, the mobility core network can include GSM/UMTSnetwork entities, such as an MSC 218, an SGSN 220, a GGSN (Gateway GPRSSupport Node) 222, and a HLR (Home Location Register) 224 that supportthe 2G and/or 3G RANs 202, 204. A Short Message Service Center (SMSC)228 is in communication with the MSC 218, the SGSN 220 and the HLR 224via an SS7/STP (Signaling System No. 7/Signal Transfer Point) 226,according to a MAP (Mobile Application Part), a protocol that providesan application layer for various nodes in mobile core networks, such asGSM and UMTS mobile core networks and GPRS core networks to communicatewith each other in order to provide services to mobile users. The GGSN222 is in communication with an MMSC (Multimedia Messaging ServiceCenter) 231, and in further communication with the SGSN 220.

Likewise, one or more of the RANs 202, 204, 206 are in communicationwith network elements of a 3GPP LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The EPCcan include an MME 230, an S-GW, a P-GW, and/or a combined S/P-GW 232.The MME 230 is in communication with the LTE RAN 206 via an “S1-C”control plan interface, with the S/P-GW 232 via an “S11” control planinterface, and with other network elements, such as an EPC-HSS (HomeSubscriber Server) 234 by way of an a Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) 236via an S6a control plane interface. The DRA 236 provides real-timerouting capabilities to ensure that messages are routed among theappropriate elements in a network. The MME 230 supports control planeconnections with the SGSN 220 via a “Gn/S3” interface and with the MSCvia an “SGs” interface, and the LTE RAN 206 is in communication with theS/P-GW 232 via an “S1-U” user plane interface.

The system 200 also includes IMS network elements, such as an S-CSCF(Serving-Call Session Control Function) 238, a P-CSCF (Proxy CSCF), andin at least some instances, a SBC (Session Border Controller). Theillustrative system 200 includes a combined SBC/P-CSCF 240. TheSBC/P-CSCF 240 is in communication with the SCSF 238 and with theSBC/P-CSCF 240 via an “SGi” interface. The IMS network elements includean IMS-HSS 242 having a control plane interface with the S-CSCF 238. ACPM entity 243 includes functionality that facilitates converged IPmessaging. The example CPM entity 243 includes “Sh” control planeinterfaces with each of the EPC-HSS 234 and the IMS-HSS 242. The CPM 243also includes interfaces, e.g., user plane interfaces, with one or moreof the DRA 236, the S-CSCF 238, a TAS (Telephony Application Server) 244and a User Capability Exchange (UCE) server 246. The UCE server 246provides insight into IP capable devices. For example, an IP capabledevice can be equipped with a resident UCE client that exchanges usercapability information with the UCE server 246. In at least someembodiments, the UCE server 246 is an IMS-centric application serverthat keeps track of UCE service personalities, e.g., associated with SIMchanges in the IP capable devices.

CPM generally supports one-to-one, one-to-many personal communications,and also communication with applications, such as M2M, as disclosed in3GPP-TS-23824-a00, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. ACPM Message can contain one or more discrete media types, e.g., text,images, audio-clips, and/or video-clips. Application servers support thefunctionality of a CPM participating function and/or a CPM controllingfunction, e.g., as defined in Open Mobile Alliance, “Converged IPMessaging Requirements,” OMA-RD-CPM-V1_0-20091218, incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety.

The illustrative system 200 also includes an SPR (Subscriber ProfileRepository) 248 for keeping subscriber policies and profiles for QoS(Quality of Service) management. The SPR 248 and the EPC-HSS 234 aredatabases keeping subscribers' information with different roles in a3GPP LTE architecture. Namely, the HSS 234 supports authentication ofLTE subscribers, e.g., according to IMSI (International MobileSubscriber Identity) as a primary key for SAE-HSS, in which SAE (SystemArchitecture Evolution—a core network architecture of a 3GPP LTEwireless communication standard) and IMPU (IMS Public ID)+IMPI (IMSPrivate ID) for IMS VoLTE authentication.

It is understood that messages can be exchanged between one or more ofthe UEs 208, 212, 214, 216 and one or more of an Application Server (AS)250 and/or a UE 252. Such message exchanges utilize one or more featuresof the system 200. For example, MTC messages can be exchanged using oneor more of the SMSC 228, the MMSC 231, the CPM 243 and/or the TAS 244.In some embodiments, an MTC message can be initiated in response toactivity of an AS 250. For example, an AS 250 of a public utilitycompany might initiate an M2M SMS directed to one or more UEs, such asresidential utility meters, to initiate a meter reading process.Alternatively or in addition, a message form a mobile application of aUE 252 of a field service engineer/technician might initiate a SMSdirected to one or more fielded equipment items by way of one or more ofthe UEs 208, 212, 214, 216. Such messages might request information fromfielded equipment, such as an operational status. Alternatively or inaddition, such messages might provide information to fielded equipment,such as updated operational parameters, updated software and the like.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a mobile communicationsystem 300 that includes the system 200 (FIG. 2) in which a 2Gcapability has been eliminated. Namely, the 2G RAN 202 (FIG. 2) has beenremoved or otherwise decommissioned. Such a modification allows themobile network operator to re-allocate any 2G radio frequency spectrumto other uses, such as LTE and/or LTE-A applications. The system 300retains the 3G, LTE and IMS features and capabilities disclosed above inrelation to FIG. 2, including legacy core network elements for 3Gservices and LTE-3G interworking. It is understood that 2G UE 208 (FIG.2) are no longer supported by the system 300.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of another mobilecommunication system 400 that includes the system 200 (FIG. 2) in whichthe 2G capability has been eliminated, along with the SS7 legacysignaling, the SMSC 228 and the MMSC 231 (FIG. 2). Namely, the 2G RAN202 (FIG. 2) has been removed, as in FIG. 3, along with the SS7/STP 226,the HLR 224, the SMSC 228 and the MMSC 231. The system 400 retains the3G, LTE and IMS features and capabilities disclosed above in relation toFIGS. 2 and 3.

The system 400 includes an MTC-IWF 402 to bridge certain messagingfunctionality as disclosed herein. The CPM 243 is in communication withthe GGSN 222 and the MTC-IWF 402. The MTC-IWF 402, in turn, is incommunication with the MSC 218 via a MAP/SGsAP (SGs Application Part)interface. Inbound, Machine Terminated MTC (MT-MTC) are routed orotherwise forwarded to one or more of the UE 212, 214, 216 via theMTC-IWF 402 and the MSC 218. Likewise, outbound, Machine Originated MTC(MO-MTC) from the UE 212, 214, 216 via the MSC 218 and the MTC-IWF 402.

It should be understood in various architectural scenarios, a single CPM243 is in communication with multiple MTC-IWFs 402, serving multiple 3GRANs 204 through multiple MSCs 218, e.g., serving multiple differentgeographic region. It is also understood that in at least someapplications, one or more of the network elements, including the MTC-IWF402, the MSC 218, the SGSN 220 and/or the GGSN 222 can be arranged inredundant pools. Such pooling arrangement allows a particular networkelement of the pooled network elements to be selected according tovarious factors. Selection factors can include, without limitation,availability, congestion, operational status, maintenance status, memoryand/or processing capacity, and the like.

In the illustrative embodiment, the MTC-IWF 402 receives and forwardsMAP messages, e.g., according to the MTC-IWF described in 3GPPstandards. The CPM 243, however, is in communication with the MTC-IWF402 via a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) interface. The differentprotocol/interfaces between the CPM 243 and the MTC-IWF 402 can beresolved by encapsulating SIP compliant messages from the CPM 243 withina MAP protocol at or prior to a corresponding interface of the MTC-IWF402. This allows the CPM 243 to communication with the MTC-IWF 402 as ifit were communicating with the retired SS7STP 226. Likewise, the MTC-IWF402 is in communication with the MSC 218 via an SGsAP interface, whichallows the MSC 218 to also communicate with the MTC-IWF 402 as if itwere still communicating with the retired SS7/STP 226. Accordingly, thedifferent protocol/interfaces between the MTC-IWF 402 and the MSC 218are resolved by encapsulating MAP-compliant messages, from the MTC-IWF402 within a SGsAP protocol at or prior to a corresponding interface ofthe MSC 218. This second encapsulation can include a doubleencapsulation by which MAP messages that encapsulate SIP messages arefurther encapsulated into SGsAP compliant messages.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of yet another mobilecommunication system 500 that includes the system 200 (FIG. 2) in whichthe 2G capability has been eliminated, along with the SS7 legacysignaling, the SMSC 228 and the MMSC 231 (FIG. 2). Namely, the 2G RAN202 (FIG. 2) has been removed, as in FIG. 3, along with the SS7/STP 226,the HLR 224, the SMSC 228 and the MMSC 231, as in FIG. 4. Namely, the 2GRAN 202 (FIG. 2) has been removed, along with the SS7/STP 226, the HLR224, the SMSC 228 and the MMSC 231 of FIGS. 2 and 3. The system 500further includes the system 400 (FIG. 4) in which the 3G capability hasalso been eliminated. Namely, the 3G RAN 204 (FIGS. 2-4) has beenremoved along with the MSC 218, the SGSN 220 and the GGSN 222. It isunderstood that 2G UE 208 (FIG. 2) and 3G UE 212 (FIGS. 2-4) are nolonger supported by the system 300.

The system 500 includes an MTC-IWF 502. The CPM 243 is in communicationwith the MTC-IWF 502 via a SIP interface. The MTC-IWF 502 is in furthercommunication with the MME 230 via an SGsAP interface. Inbound, MT-MTCare routed or otherwise forwarded to one or more of the UE 214, 216 overthe LTE RAN 206 via the MTC-IWF 402 and the MME 218.

In the illustrative embodiment, the MTC-IWF 502 receives and forwardsMAP messages, e.g., according to the MTC-IWF described in 3GPPstandards. The CPM 243, however, is in communication with the MTC-IWF502 via a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) interface. The differentprotocol/interfaces between the CPM 243 and the MTC-IWF 502 can beresolved by encapsulating SIP compliant messages from the CPM 243 withina MAP protocol at or prior to a corresponding interface of the MTC-IWF502. Likewise, the MTC-IWF 502 is in communication with the MSC 218 viaan SGsAP interface. The different protocol/interfaces between theMTC-IWF 502 and the MSC 218 can be resolved by encapsulating MAPcompliant messages, from the MTC-IWF 502 within a SGsAP protocol at orprior to a corresponding interface of the MSC 218. This secondencapsulation can include a double encapsulation by which MAP messagesthat encapsulate SIP messages are further encapsulated into SGsAPcompliant messages.

In a traditional 3G/2G wireless access network, the device gets a mobileterminated (MT) SMS from the SMSC through the MSC via the RNC/NodeB (3G)and BSC/BTS (2G). In an LTE network, the SMS to a non-IMS capable UEgets delivered from the SMSC to MSC and through the MME/eNB to the UE.This happens via the SGs interface that is established between the MMEand MSC. Mobile network operators are in the midst of upgrading theirmessaging core infrastructure to an all-IP converged messaging core thatsupports rich communication applications taking into account variousfactors such as groups, contacts, presence, socialcommunication/networking behaviors etc.

An LTE device that is IMS capable can receive SMS directly from the CPMvia SBC/P-CSCF in the IMS Core and SGi interface into the LTE network(PGW-SGW-eNB). Similarly, the same device that is IMS capable but campedin 3G (outside LTE coverage) could obtain the SMS via the IMS network.

A large number of M2M capable wireless devices deployed across variousindustry verticals today are non-IMS capable and they are still servedby the legacy 3G/2G wireless technologies. However, as operators captheir investments in 2G and 3G wireless technologies (both access andcore networks) and retire these legacy technologies gradually, themillions of such non-IP/non-IMS capable devices continually need a meansof establishing communication with the evolving messaging core.

These millions of non-IMS M2M devices (supporting LTE/3G/2G) maygradually get converted to support IMS clients over several years or bereplaced with new LTE M2M devices as the chipset costs scale downsignificantly. Since support for embedded IMS clients in the devices andincremental processing impacts device cost, battery power efficiency dueto always on connectivity and background soft-SIP applications, such anall-IP convergence may take a while.

The techniques disclosed herein ensure that there is service continuityfor such non-IMS capable LTE devices using an evolving CPM core. Thevarious network enhancements disclosed herein accomplish this byimplementing features into the messaging infrastructure along with aninterworking function that bridges the MAP protocol with otherprotocols, e.g., SIP and SGsAP.

In case of MT-SMS delivery for M2M device or a group of devices, whenthe SMS is received by the CPM, the CPM queries aSubscription/Provisioned services Repository (SPR), e.g., using an LDAPprotocol to identify whether the M2M device is IMS capable or not. Insome embodiments, a database of service profiled includes a MasterIntegrated Network Directory the (MIND). If the device is not IMScapable, the CPM can launch a new query towards the EPC-HSS using an“Sh” interface so that it can extract the non-IMS M2M UE/UEslocation/locations and their corresponding serving MME/MMEs,understanding that locations of the MMEs might span multiple regions.For MO-SMS (MS Originated SMS), the MME can send the SMS to apre-configured MTC-IWF pair for subsequent processing by the CPM forappropriate delivery to the far end.

Once the CPM extracts the tracking area and MME information, itdetermines a way to deliver that SMS message to the MME. Since theexample CPM messaging core doesn't have a direct signaling interfacewith the MME and interworks with it only via an interworking functionMTC-IWF, the CPM needs to determine which MTC-IWF serves that specificMME within a given MME pool region. This can be obtained via astandardized DNS query and resolution mechanism that could beimplemented within the CPM, or at least in part facilitated by the CPM.The MME interfaces with the MTC-IWF over the 3GPP standards defined SGsSCTP interface. The MTC-IWF can be implemented as a virtualized softwareapplication running on a commercial off-the-shelf hardware and couldreside as a stand-alone entity in the data center or it could becollapsed into another network entity, such as the CPM core.

Once the MTC-IWF serving a specific MME within a given MME pool regionis selected, the CPM delivers the IMS based SMS using the SIP protocol,e.g., using, so-called, “wrapper functions” to implement theencapsulations. In at least some applications, the wrapper functions areimplemented within the MTC-IWF. Consequently, the MME “sees” the SMS,including processing by the MTC-IWF, as an SGsAP application layermessage, according to 3GPP standardized implementations. Thus, allnon-IMS LTE capable M2M devices in the absence of 3G/2G infrastructurecan continue to receive their SMS services using the existing SGs LTEinterface.

Such an intelligent double-layer wrapping mechanism implemented withinthe MTC-IWF and CPM interface towards HSS can simplify the SMS deliveryto millions of non-IMS capable LTE M2M devices.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process 600 used inportions of the systems described in FIGS. 1-5. An MTC message isreceived at 602. The MTC message can include any form of messaging, suchas an SMS message, an MMS message or any combination thereof. In theillustrative process, the MTC message is directed towards one or moremobile stations or UEs. In some embodiments, the MTC message is sentfrom a machine according to an M2M scenario. For example, the MTCmessage is responsive to activity of an application Server (AS).

Alternatively or in addition, the MTC message can be originated fromequipment of a user in response to actions of a user, e.g., in responseto activity of a mobile application of a mobile user. The activity of amobile application can be initiated automatically, in response toactions of a user, or any combination thereof.

Capabilities, equipment type and or features of the equipment or UE of amessage recipient is identified at 604. In some embodiments, this can beaccomplished by identifying a message recipient based on the messageand/or routing information related to the message. For example, themessage can include an originator address and/or a destination address,as in a traditional SMS packet format.

A determination is made as to whether the equipment of the messagerecipient is IMS capable at 606. Such a determination can be made usingan IMS-HSS 242. The IMS-HSS is a master user database that supports IMSnetwork entities that handle calls. It can include subscription-relatedinformation, e.g., subscriber profiles, and in at least some instances,perform authentication and authorization of a user. In at least someinstances, the IMS-HSS 242 can provide information about a location ofequipment of a subscriber. In some regards, it is similar to a GSM HLR224 and authentication center. The IMS-HSS 242 can include an indicationof a type of equipment of a subscriber. For example, the indication caninclude an IMSI. Such indicators can be used to identify equipmentcapabilities, e.g., by way of the HSS records, or in association withother records.

To the extent that the equipment of the message recipient is determinedto be IMS compatible, distribution of the message is facilitated towardsthe equipment of the message recipient via an IMS core portion of amobile operator network at 608. Having established a destinationaddress, a subscriber and/or capabilities of the subscriber equipment,or UE, a determination is made as to whether the equipment of themessage recipient is LTE network accessible at 608.

It is understood that some UE are capable of operating on more than oneRAN types. For example, a UE can be capable of operating in an LTE RAN,while having a capability to also operate on a 3G and/or 2G RAN, e.g.,in fall-back scenario, if LTE is not available, or unable to meet arequired QoS. One or more of the core network elements, e.g., the HSS,the MME and/or the S/P-GW, and/or the CPM can determine whether themessage recipient UE is accessible by way of LTE at 610.

To the extent that the equipment of the message recipient is LTE networkaccessible, delivery of the message is facilitated via an LTE RAN at610. To the extent that the equipment of the message recipient is notLTE network accessible, delivery of the message is facilitated via an3G/2G RAN at 612.

Referring again to step 606, to the extent that the equipment of themessage recipient is not IMS compatible, a location of the equipment ofthe message recipient is identified at 614. The HLR 224 provides acentral database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriberthat is authorized to use the GSM core network. The HLR 224 storesdetails of SIM cards issued by a mobile phone operator. Each SIM has aunique identifier called an IMSI which can serve as a key to each HLRrecord. In some embodiments, the HLR records that can indicatecapabilities of the UE, such as whether the UE is IMS compatible. Insome embodiments, the HLR records include a location of the UE.Considering that the UE can be mobile, the location may be within a homePLMN, a visiting PLMN, and/or subject to changes when a UE is mobile. Inat least some embodiments the HLR can be used to identify UE location toa particular cell, and/or a tracking area.

A determination is made as to whether the equipment of the messagerecipient is LTE network accessible at 616. To the extent that theequipment of the message recipient is determined at 616 not to be LTEnetwork accessible, processing of a transfer of the message to theequipment of the message recipient includes interworking with a legacySMSC, MMSC and/or MSC at 622. A transfer of the message to the equipmentof the message recipient is facilitated by way of the MSC and a 3G RANat 624.

To the extent that the equipment of the message recipient is determinedat 616 to be LTE network accessible, processing of a transfer of themessage to the equipment of the message recipient includes interworkingwith a legacy SMSC, MMSC and/or MSC at 618. A transfer of the message tothe equipment of the message recipient is facilitated by way of an LTERAN at 620.

The interworking features, e.g., at 618 and/or 622 can includefunctionality of the MTC-IWF 402, 502. To facilitate interactions withthe MTC-IWF, one or more encapsulations can be implemented betweenstandard 3GPP LTE interfaces, without requiring any of the specialized,e.g., “T5” interfaces related to the MTC-IWF. For example, encapsulationof a message from the CPM can include receiving a SIP message from theCPM, encapsulating the SIP message into a MAP format and forwarding theencapsulated MAP message to the MTC-IWF. The encapsulation can beimplemented in any suitable location, such as at the CPM 243, at theMTC-IWF 402, 502 and/or in an intermediate network element positionedbetween network interfaces of the CPM 243 and the MTC-IWF 402, 502.

Similarly, encapsulation of a message from the MTC-IWF 402, 502 towardsthe MSC 218 can include receiving a MAP message from the MTC-IWF, andencapsulating the MAP message into an SGsAP format and forwarding theencapsulated MAP message to the MSC. The encapsulation can beimplemented in any suitable location, such as at the MTC-IWF 402, 502,at the MSC 218 and/or in an intermediate network element positionedbetween network interfaces of the MTC-IWF 402, 502 and the MSC 218.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 6, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

It is understood that multiple forms of MTC services can be offered toUE devices over mobile technologies such as those described above.Additionally, MTC services can be offered to UE devices by way of awireless access base station operating according to common wirelessaccess protocols such as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code DivisionMultiple Access or CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA,Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability forMicrowave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolutionor LTE, and so on. Other present and next generation wide area wirelessaccess network technologies can be used in one or more embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

The SMS delivery mechanism for non-IMS capable M2M devices disclosedherein provides the CPM with an intelligent, simplified, coordinated androbust network design critical to delivering efficient and richmessaging content for millions of connected devices. Such anarchitecture provide numerous advantages, such as a unified, all-IP andrich messaging core network architecture design and implementation.Other advantages include an enhanced MTC-IWF that can provide richmessaging services from various application servers to the M2M capabledevices. The solutions can use an existing DNS infrastructure to querythe MTC-IWF that serves a given MME region. Likewise, the solutions canuse the existing SGs interface design on the MME for non-IMS capabledelivery.

The techniques disclosed herein support an intelligent networkmanagement systems and analytics for network resources related datacollection, reporting and alerting in a closed-loop manner, whileoffering a significant capital expenditure savings due to simplificationof the network design, e.g., eliminating legacy devices, such as theSMSC/MMSCs.

The techniques disclosed herein also support a significant savings inoperational expenses as there is no need to maintain legacy access, STPand messaging core network infrastructure. Differentiated services arecan be offered and supported for non-IMS/IMS capable LTE M2M customers.Moreover, these advantages maintain a “best-in-class” mobility access,messaging core network and services design, which should minimizesubscriber churn and leverage deployed base for continued M2M revenuegeneration.

A robust MTC-IWF dual-layer wrapping functionality and core networkselection/interworking mechanism via closed-loop monitoring andintelligence within the CPM nodes to enhance the overall messaging corenetwork design for M2M SMS services over LTE networks. This results inefficient management of scarce radio frequency spectrum and networkresources, while preventing potential network and service outages todeliver the world's best-in-class M2M mobile connectivity experienceacross industry verticals realizing the industry objectives ofIndustrial Internet/Internet Of Things.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 700employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 700 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4 and/or 5. The system700 is configured to identify an MTC message directed to a mobilecommunication device 705 and determine a compatibility of the mobilecommunication device with a 3GPP IMS architecture. In response todetermining that the mobile communication device 705 is compatible withthe 3GPP IMS architecture, a forwarding is facilitated of the MTCmessage to the mobile communication device 705 via a network element ofan IMS network core 750. In response to determining that the mobilestation is not compatible with the 3GPP IMS architecture a forwarding isfacilitated of the MTC message to an MTC-IWF associated with the mobilecommunication device 705, wherein the MTC-IWF facilitates a directing ofthe machine-type communication message to the mobile communicationdevice 705 via an SGs interface of a mobility management entity of anevolved packet core of a 3GPP LTE network.

The communication system 700 can include a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)740, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 730, and other networkelements of an IMS network 750. The IMS network 750 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 701,702, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 703, 705, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)720 coupled to a PSTN network 760. The MGCF 720 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 720.

IMS CDs 701, 702 can register with the IMS network 750 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 740. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 701 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 704 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF706. The originating S-CSCF 706 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 717 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 717 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 706 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 706 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 730 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 707 to submit a query to the HSS 740 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 714 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 702. Once identified, the I-CSCF 707 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 714. The terminating S-CSCF714 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 716 associated with theterminating CD 702. The P-CSCF 716 may then signal the CD 702 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 7 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 700 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 700 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 701, 702with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD703 or CD 705 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 730 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 706 to forward the call to the MGCF 720 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 719. The MGCF 720 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 760 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 7 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 7 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 721, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 750 of FIG. 7. The cellular accessbase station 721 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 7.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 721 may communicate directly with the IMS network 750 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 721 and the P-CSCF716.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The server 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled to communication system700 for purposes similar to those described above. For example, a server430 can perform an MTC-IWF function 762 and thereby provide messagehandling services to support messaging to/from the CDs 701, 702, 703 and705 of FIG. 7 similar to the functions described for the MTC-IWF 402,502 of FIGS. 4-5 in accordance with process 600 of FIG. 6. The CDs 701,702, 703 and 705, which can be adapted with software to performmessaging functions, including MTC functions 772 to utilize the servicesof the server 430, in accordance with process 600 of FIG. 6. The server430 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 717 performingmessaging functions, including MTC functions 774, which can besubstantially similar to function 772 and adapted to the operations ofthe IMS network 750.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3GPP. It isfurther noted that some or all embodiments of the subject disclosure mayin whole or in part modify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final orproposed standards published and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 802 of acommunication system 800. Communication system 800 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4and/or 5 and/or communication system 700 as another representativeembodiment of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4 and/or 5and/or communication system 700. The web portal 802 can be used formanaging services of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4 and/or5 and communication system 700. A web page of the web portal 802 can beaccessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internet browserusing an Internet-capable communication device such as those describedin FIGS. 1-5 and/or FIG. 7. The web portal 802 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 406 and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog,an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 406. The web portal 802 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

The web portal 802 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 762, 772-774 to adapt these applications as may bedesired by subscribers and/or service providers of systems 100, 200,300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4 and/or 5 and communication system 700. Forinstance, users of the messaging services facilitated by the MTC-IWF402, 503, or server 430 can log into their on-line accounts andprovision the MTC-IWF 402, 503, server 430 and/or UEs 208, 212, 214, 216with a feature that a user may want to program such as message types,message formats, authorization information, security, contact schedules,equipment locations, types and so forth to enable it to communicationwith devices described in FIGS. 1-7, and so on. Service providers canlog onto an administrator account to provision, monitor and/or maintainthe systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 of FIGS. 1-4 and/or 5 or server 430.

FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 900.Communication device 900 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-5 and/or FIG.7 and can be configured to perform portions of process 600 of FIG. 6.

Communication device 900 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 902 (herein transceiver 902), a user interface (UI) 904, apower supply 914, a location receiver 916, a motion sensor 918, anorientation sensor 920, and a controller 906 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 902 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 902 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 904 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 908 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device900. The keypad 908 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 900 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 908 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 904 can further include a display910 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 900. In anembodiment where the display 910 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 908 can be presented by way of the display 910 withnavigation features.

The display 910 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 900 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 910 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 910 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 900 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 904 can also include an audio system 912 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 912 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 912 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI904 can further include an image sensor 913 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 914 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 900 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 916 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 900 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 918can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 900 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 920 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device900 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 900 can use the transceiver 902 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 906 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 900.

Other components not shown in FIG. 9 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 900 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 906 of the communication device 900. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 900 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 900 to force thecommunication device 900 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 900 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 900 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 9. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 900 can be adapted to perform the functions ofone or more of the devices of FIGS. 1-4 and/or 5, the media processor406, the media devices 408, or the portable communication devices 208,212, 214, 216 of FIGS. 2-5, as well as the IMS CDs 701-702 and PSTN CDs703-705 of FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that the communication device900 can also represent other devices that can operate in the systems ofFIGS. 1-4 and/or 5, communication systems 400-700 of FIGS. 4-7 such asIoT devices, utility meters, transportation vehicles, shippingcontainers, gaming consoles, media players and the like. In addition,the controller 906 can be adapted in various embodiments to perform thefunctions 762, 772-774, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, in some applications, a message isdirected to more than one equipment items, e.g., by way of one or moreUEs 208, 212, 214, 216. When directed to multiple UEs, it is envisionedthat they can be served by the same RAN, and/or different RANs, e.g., indifferent geographic regions.

In some embodiments, messages directed to multiple UEs include abroadcast messaging service. In at least some multi-destinationmessaging applications, a broadcast message is associated with one ormore geographical regions. Such regions can be identified by one or moreof geographic parameters, e.g., a range, area, elevation and/or shape.Alternatively or in addition, such regions can be identified bygeo-political boundaries, such as countries, states, counties, cities,towns, etc. Selection of one or more network functional elements, suchas the RANS, the MTC-IWF and so on can be based upon the geographicregions.

It should be understood that one or more of the devices disclosed hereincan be implemented as hardware, software, firmware or any combinationthereof. One or more of the network functional elements disclosedherein, such as the MSC 218, the SGSN 220, the GGSN 222, the MME 230,the S/P-GW 232, the SBC/P-CSCF 240, the S-CSCF 238, the EPC-HSS 234 theHLR 224 and the IMS-HSS can be implemented as a virtualized networkfunction. In at least some applications, virtualized network functionsare implemented on one or more virtual machines. One or more of thenetwork functional elements can be controlled, configured, allocated,and/or associated with other such network functional elements accordingto Software Defined Networking (SDN). The virtual functions and/orvirtual machines can be provided in redundant pools and allocated, asrequired. Without limitation, such allocations can be provided on a permessage basis, a per session basis, a per client basis, and so on. Otherembodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should also be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 1000 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the MTC-IWF 402, 502 and/or server 430, the CPM243, the MME 230, the S/P-GW 232, the MSC 218, the SGSN 220, the GGSN222, and other devices of FIGS. 1-5. In some embodiments, the machinemay be connected (e.g., using a network 1026) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in a server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 1000 may include a processor (or controller) 1002(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 1004 and a static memory 1006, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 1008. The computer system 1000 mayfurther include a display unit 1010 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 1000may include an input device 1012 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 1014 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 1016, a signal generationdevice 1018 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 1020. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units1010 controlled by two or more computer systems 1000. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 1010, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 1010.

The disk drive unit 1016 may include a tangible computer-readablestorage medium 1022 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions(e.g., software 1024) embodying any one or more of the methods orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The instructions 1024 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 1004, the static memory 1006, and/or within theprocessor 1002 during execution thereof by the computer system 1000. Themain memory 1004 and the processor 1002 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Distributedprocessing environments can include multiple processors in a singlemachine, single processors in multiple machines, and/or multipleprocessors in multiple machines. It is further noted that a computingdevice such as a processor, a controller, a state machine or othersuitable device for executing instructions to perform operations ormethods may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way of oneor more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 1022 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 1000. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimizedAccordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining, by aprocessing system including a processor, a compatibility of a mobilestation with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture; in responseto determining that the mobile station is compatible with the IMSarchitecture, facilitating, by the processing system, transfer of amachine-type communication message to the mobile station via a networkelement of an IMS network core; and in response to determining that themobile station is not compatible with the IMS architecture,facilitating, by the processing system, transfer of the machine-typecommunication message to a machine-type communication interworkingfunction associated with the mobile station, wherein the machine-typecommunication interworking function facilitates delivery of themachine-type communication message to the mobile station via an SGsinterface of a mobility management entity of an evolved packet core of along term evolution network, without using a specialized interfacebetween the machine-type communication interworking function and themobility management entity.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, by the processing system, a location of themobile station; and identifying, by the processing system, themachine-type communication interworking function based on the locationof the mobile station.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the determiningof the location of the mobile station comprises querying, by theprocessing system, a home subscriber server of the evolved packet coreof the long term evolution network based on the location of the mobilestation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer of themachine-type communication message to the machine-type communicationinterworking function comprises: encapsulating the machine-typecommunication message within a first protocol, compatible with themachine-type communication interworking function to obtain a firstencapsulated machine-type communication message; and processing of thefirst encapsulated machine-type communication message by themachine-type communication interworking function to obtain aninterworking processed machine-type communication message.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the transfer of the machine-type communicationmessage to the machine-type communication interworking function furthercomprises encapsulating the interworking processed machine-typecommunication message within a second protocol, compatible with themobility management entity, to obtain a second encapsulated machine-typecommunication message.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the secondencapsulated machine-type communication message is routed to the mobilestation through a radio access network of the long term evolutionnetwork.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the encapsulating of themachine-type communication message within the first protocol comprisesencapsulating a session initiation protocol within a mobile applicationpart protocol, and wherein the encapsulation of the interworkingprocessed machine-type communication message within the second protocolcomprises encapsulating the mobile application part protocol within anSGs application part protocol.
 8. A device, comprising: a processingsystem including a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitateperformance of operations, the operations comprising: determining acompatibility of a mobile station with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)architecture; in response to determining that the mobile station iscompatible with the IMS architecture, facilitating forwarding of amachine-type communication message to the mobile station via a networkelement of an IMS network core; and in response to determining that themobile station is not compatible with the IMS architecture facilitatinga-forwarding of the machine-type communication message to a machine-typecommunication interworking function associated with the mobile station,wherein the machine-type communication interworking functionfacilitates-a directing of the machine-type communication message to themobile station via an SGs interface of a mobility management entity ofan evolved packet core of a long term evolution network, without using aspecialized interface between the machine-type communicationinterworking function and the mobility management entity.
 9. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: determining alocation of the mobile station; and identifying the machine-typecommunication interworking function based on the location of the mobilestation.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the determining of thelocation of the mobile station comprises querying a home subscriberserver of the evolved packet core of the long term evolution networkbased on the location of the mobile station.
 11. The device of claim 8,wherein the forwarding of the machine-type communication message to themachine-type communication interworking function comprises:encapsulating the machine-type communication message within a firstprotocol, compatible with the machine-type communication interworkingfunction, to obtain a first encapsulated machine-type communicationmessage; and processing of the first encapsulated machine-typecommunication message by the machine-type communication interworkingfunction to obtain an interworking processed machine-type communicationmessage.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the forwarding of themachine-type communication message to the machine-type communicationinterworking function further comprises encapsulating the interworkingprocessed machine-type communication message within a second protocol,compatible with the mobility management entity, to obtain a secondencapsulated machine-type communication message.
 13. The device of claim12, wherein the second encapsulated machine-type communication messageis routed to the mobile station through a radio access network of thelong term evolution network.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein theencapsulating of the machine-type communication message within the firstprotocol comprises encapsulating a session initiation protocol within amobile application part protocol, and wherein the encapsulation of theinterworking processed machine-type communication message within thesecond protocol comprises encapsulating the mobile application partprotocol within an SGs application part protocol.
 15. A machine-readablestorage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: determining a compatibility of amobile station with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture; inresponse to determining that the mobile station is compatible with theIMS architecture, facilitating a-transfer of a machine-typecommunication message to the mobile station via a network element of anIMS network core; and in response to determining that the mobile stationis not compatible with the IMS architecture facilitating forwarding ofthe machine-type communication message to a machine-type communicationinterworking function associated with the mobile station, wherein themachine-type communication interworking function facilitates-a directingof the machine-type communication message to the mobile station via aninterface of a mobility management entity of an evolved packet core of along term evolution network.
 16. The machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 15, wherein the operations further comprise: determining alocation of the mobile station; and identifying the machine-typecommunication interworking function based on the location of the mobilestation.
 17. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 16, whereinthe determining of the location of the mobile station comprises queryinga home subscriber server of the evolved packet core of the long termevolution network based on the location of the mobile station.
 18. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the forwarding ofthe machine-type communication message to the machine-type communicationinterworking function comprises: encapsulating the machine-typecommunication message within a first protocol, compatible with themachine-type communication interworking function to obtain a firstencapsulated machine-type communication message; and processing of thefirst encapsulated machine-type communication message by themachine-type communication interworking function to obtain aninterworking processed machine-type communication message.
 19. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the forwarding ofthe machine-type communication message to the machine-type communicationinterworking function further comprises encapsulating the interworkingprocessed machine-type communication message within a second protocol,compatible with the mobility management entity, to obtain a secondencapsulated machine-type communication message.
 20. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the encapsulatingof the machine-type communication message within the first protocolcomprises encapsulating a session initiation protocol within a mobileapplication part protocol, and wherein the encapsulation of theinterworking processed machine-type communication message within thesecond protocol comprises encapsulating the mobile application partprotocol within an SGs application part protocol.